Kids Can Transform Boxes into People, Pets, Robots, Vehicles & More Using Box Props by Makedo

by , 05/20/13   filed under: craft, diy kids crafts, education, green gifts, green toys
 
 
Look! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… a box. Before toys became super high-tech and five-year-olds walked around with iPhones and iPads, children typically played with the box that packaged their birthday gift. We’re completely head-over-heels about Makedo’s Box Props concept that makes playing with traditional boxes a thing again. The creative-play company offers a range of props that help kids transform household boxes into monsters, pets, people, robots and even vehicles. No more breaking down packages to hand off to the recycling bin. Yesterday’s trash can once again provide your children endless opportunities to step away from the tablet and into a realm of discovery.
 

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Top 6 Green Play Mats for Babies and Toddlers

by , 05/19/13   filed under: green baby, green design
 
 
Whether your baby has just started reaching and grabbing, or if she's already sitting up and stacking blocks, you'll need a spot for her to play. You may want a full-featured play mat with lots of toys to bat at and textures to crinkle, or you may simply want a soft spot for your little one to call her own. So we rounded up the best of the best in sustainable play mats ranging from plush activity gyms to kid-safe floor tiles. Check out our top six.
 

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Kids Build Dream Homes with qb Playhouses

by , 05/19/13   filed under: eco play, eco toddler, green kids

qb playhouse, customized playhouse, build your own playhouse, qb, eco-friendly playhouses, eco-friendly playhouse

Kids are full of boundless, vibrant creativity, and qb Playhouses enable a child to channel his or her fanciful imagination and colorful take on life into a one-of a-kind miniature abode. Via an easy, 1-2-3 process: “Choose, Build, Play,” “everything is possible” when it comes to designing and customizing a qb playhouse. What a wonderful philosophy to encourage a child’s dreams.



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Ahoy Matey! Adorable Pirate Themed Vegan Play Food Set

by , 05/19/13   filed under: eco play, eco toddler, green kids, green toys

play food, plush play food, play kitchen, felt play food, eco-friendly play food, vegan kids

Need some fresh play food to brighten up your child’s vegan play kitchen? Check out this adorable Tofu Scramble play food set. This personable set includes a plush tofu, asparagus and mushroom outfitted in perfect pirate patches, making for a hearty tofu scramble trio. The set is handmade with ecospun felt and cotton linen; and all the cute faces are hand-sewn so each is unique and safe for younger chefs in training!

+ Tofu Scramble Pirate Plush Set $42.00

+ Panda with Cookie

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New Report Finds Over 5,000 Children’s Products Contain Toxic Chemicals

by , 05/18/13   filed under: green baby, green family, green kids, health & body, news, toxins

autism, autism chemicals, brominated flame retardant, toxic chemicals, toxins, harmful chemicals, chemicals cause autism, endocrine disruptors, environmental tonins, pesticides, arsenic, cadmium, phthalates
Image courtesy of Shutterstock

According to reports filed with the Washington State Department of Ecology, over 5000 children’s products contain toxic chemicals that are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive problems. The Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer States performed an analysis of the reports and found that several major companies that manufacture kids’ products are using a total of 41 chemicals identified by Ecology as a concern for children’s health. Some of these problematic chemicals include toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury, and antimony, plus organic compounds such as phthalates. Walmart, Gap, Gymboree, Hallmark and H & M are just some of the companies who admit they use these chemicals in various products marketed specifically to children and adolescents. The report notes that the toxic products include items such as children’s clothing and footwear, personal care products, baby products, toys, car seats, and arts and craft supplies. Some specific products containing harmful chemicals include:

Erika Schreder, science director for the Washington Toxics Coalition notes, “The data shows store shelves remain full of toxic chemicals that we know are a concern for children’s health. These reports are critical for understanding the presence of toxic chemicals in our homes and the marketplace.”

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Gearing Up for the Dog Days of Summer With Inhabitots’ Favorite Canine-Related Stories

by , 05/18/13   filed under: eco toddler, green design, green family, green kids

inhabitots dog stories, how to prevent dog bites, are you ready to adopt a dog?, robert bradford, amelia santiago, katie mello, star wats AT-AT dog costume, dog sculptures, dog portraits, marc tetro
Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

The sultry dog days of summer are nearing, so we’ve rounded up Inhabitots’ favorite canine-related stories! If you live in a locale where temperatures continue to drop at night during the summer months, check out our story on how to make sweaters out of your dog’s fur. Thinking of adding a four-legged friend to your family? Be sure to check out these 8 questions to ask before adopting a dog. Whether you’re out walking your dog or your kids like to approach dogs when out and about, here’s a quick lesson in dog safety that can help prevent dog bites. If you love dogs but adopting a pooch isn’t in the cards, consider propping up one of Marc Tetro’s puppy pop-outs as cute canine decor. Does everyone in your family constantly lose socks and gloves? Don’t render the pair obsolete — instead upcycle strays into adorable plush puppies via Miyako Kanamori’s DIY craft books. Artist Amelia Santiago creates amazing lifelike miniature versions of your beloved pet using 100% wool felt in her pet portrait sculptures. Robert Bradford impresses with his recycled toy dog sculptures that are chic and cheery. Star Wars fans and dog lovers will be delighted by Katie Mello’s hilarious AT-AT costume for dogs.

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All Natural Wooden iPhone Toy is Safe for Babies to Chew

by , 05/17/13   filed under: eco toddler, green baby, green design, teething

Is your baby already reaching for your iPhone? Keep your baby and your phone safe, by handing over the all-natural Wooden Cell Phone Toy from 3 Princess Engraving instead. These cute teething toys don’t emit dangerous cell phone radiation, and they’re made from Canadian maple and finished with unscented, non-toxic beeswax polish. To make the iPhone teether even more fun, get it personalized! The designers will engrave your child’s name on the back in the font of your choice and you can choose who is calling – Daddy, Mommy, Auntie, a sibling and so on.

+ Wooden Cell Phone Toy $12.00

+ Personalized Wooden Phone Toy $17.00

+ 3 Princess Engraving


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STEAM Carnival Dazzles with Lasers, Robots & Fire to Inspire Young Inventors

by , 05/17/13   filed under: education, green kids, kids entertainment

 
 
Chances are, if you are attempting to talk to kids about math and science, you will receive a look of mild boredom at best and outright disgust at worst. Yet, if you throw in the words "video games," "robots," "lasers," or "fire," you are sure to grab their attention. Confident that learning can be a fun and engaging experience, co-founders of Los Angeles-based Two Bit Circus, Brent Bushnell and Eric Gradman, have launched a spectacle that is certain to dazzle kids and adults alike. Prepare yourselves for the STEAM Carnival, a synthesis of entertainment and education that uses cutting edge technology and showmanship to delight and inform.
 


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Girls Can Channel Their Inner Mermaid with MerFins

Girls Can Channel Their Inner Mermaid with MerFins

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Pleygo Rental Service Lets Kids Borrow & Trade LEGO Sets via Mail

Pleygo Rental Service Lets Kids Borrow & Trade LEGO Sets via Mail

From amazing life-sized Lego structures and spooky Halloween Lego mansions to Lego household goods and Lego sets that inspire girls to build; we love Lego here at Inhabitots. What we don’t love

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State of the World’s Mothers Report: United States Ranks Abysmally Low in Mother & Baby Care

State of the World’s Mothers Report: United States Ranks Abysmally Low in Mother & Baby Care

According to Save the Children, a baby’s first day of life is his most dangerous. As data from the 14th annual State of the World’s Mothers report shows, each year, more than 1 million babies

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A Guide to Buying Bulk Foods for Your Family, to Save Resources & Money

A Guide to Buying Bulk Foods for Your Family, to Save Resources & Money

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Casa Kids’ Dumbo Double Tuck Bed Packs Two Folding Beds Into One Wall Unit

Casa Kids’ Dumbo Double Tuck Bed Packs Two Folding Beds Into One Wall Unit

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Ubabub’s Modern Eco Pod Cot Grows With Your Child

Ubabub’s Modern Eco Pod Cot Grows With Your Child

Ubabub offers some of the most stylish and versatile child beds you have seen including the fabulous Pod Cot, which grows with your child. The Pod Cot is a cozy cocoon-like bed with with modern, smooth,

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7 Eco-friendly Food Safety Tips for Moms-to-be

7 Eco-friendly Food Safety Tips for Moms-to-be

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Handcrafted Eco-friendly Elephant Bookends Add a ‘Ton’ of Personality to a Child’s Space

Handcrafted Eco-friendly Elephant Bookends Add a ‘Ton’ of Personality to a Child’s Space

Maple Shade Kids‘ new Elephant Bookends elevate pachyderm inspired decor with the use of beautiful textured papers in a rainbow of assorted colors. Each set of Elephant Bookends is made with

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A Guide to Joining Your Local Community Garden & Tips on Gardening as a Group

A Guide to Joining Your Local Community Garden & Tips on Gardening as a Group

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7 Fun, Kid-Friendly Salad Recipes That Go Beyond Iceberg Lettuce

7 Fun, Kid-Friendly Salad Recipes That Go Beyond Iceberg Lettuce

Looking for a fun way to encourage your kid to eat more veggies? Try a few new, exciting salads – your kids will enjoy helping to prepare them and the whole family will savor them. Salads are a

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LOTS MORE GREAT GREEN DESIGN STORIES HERE... KEEP READING!